Jeremiah describes invaders chasing Israel across the mountains of the land, pursuing them as swiftly as eagles (Lamentations 4:19). They can’t keep going; out of breath, they are ambushed and taken into exile.
Why are they breathless and weak? Because “the breath of our nostrils . . . was captured in their pits.” Who or what might that be? The parallel phrase in verse 20a tells us: “the breath (Heb., ruach ) of our nostrils, Yahweh’s anointed.” That is, Judah’s king is Judah’s breath. Judah’s king is a new Adam sharing breath with Judah. Judah’s king encourages warriors who have exhausted their strength, fills the noses of Judah’s warriors with battle-rage, gives life and breath to His people.
All of Judah’s kings, every anointed one, communicated ruach to the people. That’s what kings do. And that’s what Jesus does.
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